Hiking Tours

Hiking Along the Coast

Guests will enjoy a variety of hikes on the rugged terrain that made Newfoundland famous. While there are no mountains to climb, hikers earn every step along coastal trails while experiencing breathtaking scenery.

Puffin & Whale Watching Tour

No trip to Newfoundland would be complete without a day out on the water. Gatherall's Tours have been taking visitors on whale watching tours for decades, and they usually find something exciting. Birders also enjoy a feast for their eyes with multiple opportunities to add to their “Life List.” Especially fun to watch are the puffins!

Parties & Nightlife

Because Newfoundlanders are famous for their singing, kitchen parties and social exuberance, the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Experience a shed party in a small town, and enjoy a couple of nights to explore the  George Street in St. John’s.

Quidi Vidi Brewery

Quidi Vidi's harbour, known as "The Gut", is quintessential Newfoundland: rugged rock cliffs, colourful buildings and fishing boats. One of those colourful buildings is the ever welcoming Quidi Vidi Brewery, the largest craft brewery in Newfoundland. We'll visit the brewery for lunch, and if available, a tour and a tasting.

Cape Spear

Cape Spear is the easternmost point in North America, and the lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the province, is a national historic site and a symbol of the marine history of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Day 1

1. St. John’s Walking Tour 

(H1/Easy – 5.0km/100m) 

Downtown St. John’s is hilly, so this city walking tour is more difficult than most. Our local guide will show us the historic and social hotspots, which will be useful orientation for our time in the city.

https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/top-destinations/st-johns

Day 2

2. Mickeleen's Path, Bay Bulls 

(H3/Difficult – 8.0km/550m) 

This trail follows the coast from Bay Bulls to Witless Bay, offering spectacular viewpoints over the Atlantic Ocean. This is a long stretch of loose rocks, so sturdy footwear is required.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/mickeleens-path

https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/top-destinations/bay-bulls-and-witless-bay

Day 3

3. Sugarloaf Path, St. John’s 

(H3/Difficult – 9.8km/770m) 

This trail hugs the coast, with many rugged and steep sections. It provides awesome views over the ocean and ends in the tiny fishing village of Quidi Vidi (where we will stop for lunch).

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/sugarloaf-path

https://destinationstjohns.com/a-day-in-quidi-vidi-nl/

4. Ladies Lookout & Burma Road Trail, St. John’s 

(H2/Moderate – 2.5km/70m) 

The trail continues from Quidi Vidi to Signal Hill, stopping at the Ladies Lookout along the way.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/newfoundland/burma-road-trail

Day 4

5.  Freshwater Bay to Cape Spear National Historic Park

(H3/Difficult – 12km/175m) 

This path begins with a walk inland to Freshwater Bay and then continues along the coast to Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America. A historic lighthouse and a WWII coastal defense battery can be visited at Cape Spear Historic Site. In summer months there is a high likelihood of seeing whales from the trail since the caplin come close to the shoreline. It is also an excellent trail for bird watchers.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/freshwater-bay 

Day 5

6. Cobbler Path From Red Cliff to Outer Cove

(H3/Difficult  8.2 km)

Today’s hike is on the Cobbler Path for 8 kilometres of magnificent coastline views, including the views from Red Cliff, the remains of a Second World War battery, and the ruins of a Cold War tracking station.  The trail has partially board-walked-over wet areas. Whale sightings from the trail are likely in the summer season. 

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/cobblers-path 

7.  Fort Amherst 

(H2/moderate  4km)

We will walk up a steep hill to enjoy the views of the St. John’s Harbour from the Canadian National Historic Site of Fort Amherst.  

Newfoundland is a Bucket List Destination

It’s no exaggeration to say that Newfoundland is on the “bucket list” for most Canadians. It’s also a fact that you can’t get to Newfoundland while on your way to somewhere else – it is always its own special destination.

Newfoundland on Foot

The best way to see and experience a place as rugged and wild as Newfoundland is on foot. In fact, many of the most amazing places you’ll see aren’t even accessible by road. Taste the salty sea breeze peppering your cheeks while hiking along the coast!

An Organized Tour is the Way to Go!

Given the large distances, limited access and sparce facilities of rural Newfoundland, knowing where to go, how to get there, and where to stay and eat is key. As a result, hikers who try to do it themselves will spend a lot of time dealing with logistics, while guests on our tours spend a lot more time on the trail. 

Experience

While DeLuxe Hiking tours are a recent addition to our portfolio, DeNureTours has been taking people to Newfoundland for more than 40 years, and we’ve found the best places to visit and we have built relationships with lots of local partners and suppliers. Combine this experience with professional, local hiking guides, and you have a team of professionals working to provide you with the best experiences in Newfoundland!

• Private motorcoach transportation
• 5 nights accommodation
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
• Local professional hiking guides 
• All park passes and entry fees for included highlights
• Services of a DeLuxe Hiking Tour Director

Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person and include HST.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

• 7 walks and hikes, including a guided walking tour of St. John’s
• Free time in St. John’s
• Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watching tour
• Quidi Vidi Brewery (Tasting if available)
• Cape Spear & Petty Harbour

Day 1

Guests will arrive in St. John’s airport and make their way to the Delta Hotel. Our DeLuxe Hiking tour director will meet guests in the lobby on arrival, and then at 5:00 p.m., the group will depart for a guided walking tour of downtown St. John’s. In the evening, guests will get acquainted with each other and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Stay: Delta Hotel, St John’s, NL

Nights: 5

Meals:  D

Day 2

This is a big day, beginning with a Gatherall’s whale watching tour in nearby Bay Bulls. After a light lunch on the pier, guests will be shuttled to the nearby Mickeleen’s Trail for a beautiful hike along the coast with local professional guides. After returning to the hotel, guests will have the opportunity to visit one of many local restaurants for a group dinner, and possibly George Street for some more upbeat entertainment.

Meals: B, L

Day 3

On this day, guests will see that one need not leave St. John’s city limits to find spectacular hiking trails along the coast. We’ll begin with Sugarloaf Trail, stop in Quidi Vidi for lunch, then continue along the North Head Trail to Signal Hill. After hiking, guests will have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore St. John’s.  The Tour Director will provide lots of suggestions to take full advantage of time in St. John’s.

Meals: B, L

Day 4

A visit to Newfoundland is not complete without a visit to Cape Spear National Historic Site which has the distinction of being the most easternly point in North America. We will hike the coastline to Cape Spear and have time to visit to this historic and windy site. Dinner will be at the fishing village of Petty Harbour. 

Meals: B, L

Day 5

The East Coast trail has 26 different paths along the eastern coast. Today’s hike, led by an experienced guide, will be along the Cobbler Path from Red Cliff to Outer Cove, chosen for its scenery and the likelihood of viewing whales in the bay, from the trail. After the hike we will be transported to historic Fort Amherst, and view St. John’s harbour from this militarily strategic location. Our final meal together will be in St. John’s.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 6

Our hiking tour, exploring the magnificent East Coast Trail, has come to an end. After breakfast and checkout, return to St. John’s, arriving at the airport at about noon, in time for the return flight home.

 Meals: B

Delta Hotel, St John’s (5 nights)

A few blocks uphill from the waterfront, The Delta Hotel provides great views of St. John’s Harbour and comfortable, recently renovated rooms. This great location is just steps from some of St. John's hottest destinations, including Mile One Centre and George Street. 

Currently, when guests arrive in St. John’s, they find their way to the hotel and check in.  This tour actually begins in the lobby of The Delta Hotel in St. John’s, at 5:00 p.m.

Within the DeLuxe Hiking portfolio of tours, hiking on the east coast of Newfoundland ranks near the top in terms of rugged hiking trails, so it is important to come prepared: proper foul-weather clothing and hiking footwear is required. Hiking poles are recommended, but optional. On the other hand, this is a shorter tour that includes an introduction to the culture of the region and the famous hospitality of the people … a wonderful experience for those of us who “come from away.”

This itinerary includes a boat cruise.  Although for most people medication is not required, there may be some who may want to bring along a remedy for motion sickness.  You don’t want to let a little thing like that spoil this amazing experience.

Those with dietary restrictions should be prepared for limited options. 

This tour begins and ends in St. Johns, NL, so guests can join this tour from anywhere in the world!  

There is so much to see and do in St. Johns, you may want to arrive early or stay an extra day or two.  Please contact us to discuss your airfare and pre-and post-tour accommodation options.